The Democratic organizations, including progressive Evangelical Christian groups, have criticized Ryan's principles and his budget proposals they say will negatively impact the poor's safety net.- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

Ryan, a practicing Catholic, is subsequently quoted praising the writer, who passed away in 1982.

"Ayn Rand more than anyone else did a fantastic job of explaining the morality of capitalism, the morality individualism and this to me is what matters most," Ryan says in the commercial.

The narrator then asks, "What matters most to you?"

Although much earlier in his career he gave her book "Atlas Shrugged" as a Christmas gift, according to the Weekly Standard, more recently he called his interest in her philosophy an "urban legend."

"I reject her philosophy; it's an atheist philosophy," he told National Review in April.

Evangelical Christians, a key voting block, have disproportionately supported Republicans in previous elections, something liberal religious groups hope to chip away at in the lead up to the November election.

soundoff(24 Responses)

Pat in IL

They are right to look into these beliefs. Ayn Rand cultist are all about self and not the collective. Who wants that for an elected official who is supposed to work for the collective?? People can believe what they want, but it's odd that the right wingers would want an athiest in their midst.

August 11, 2012 11:43 am at 11:43 am |

Malory Archer

Yeah, I think mittens drank the reichwing koolaid and "misunderestimated" Christian progressives. I predict he'll rue the day he made that mistake!

August 11, 2012 11:43 am at 11:43 am |

SEND THE LOSER OBAMA HOME

You mean the Radical Religious groups ? Ryan is a good Catholic he supports organzie religion. Most religious leaders like him and he has overwhelming suppoprt among Catholics. I guess The Progressive Religious groups are made up of cults.

August 11, 2012 11:51 am at 11:51 am |

WiredweirdinSF

Time for the Obozo supporters to start tearing another decent, hard working, American, taxpayer who espouse personal responsibility apart. They believe that such a person has no right to opinions let alone life.

August 11, 2012 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

B.

This is a major Cave-in to the Tea-Baggers by Wimp Romney who is obviously way over his head.

Romney has a moderate past history and has given control to the extreme right base in a attempt to gain the White House..

It won’t work.

August 11, 2012 11:57 am at 11:57 am |

John

If there was any doubt who runs the GOP party the selection of Ryan puts an end to any more speculation.
The GOP have been dismantled and conquered They are a doormat to the Tea Party who have wiped their boots all over them. GOP have surrendered to the right wing loonies who are destroying the America and much of what America stood for. It is a sad day.....

August 11, 2012 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

Ray E. (Georgia)

Aw yes,
The Sky is falling, The sky is falling! R and R. Replace and Restore America. All you freeloaders are going to have to find some Shovel Project and Heave Ho. The Religious Progressives, Regressives? are going to have to start fending for themselves, just like the Pilgrims did over 300 years ago. Try it, you will like it!

August 11, 2012 12:07 pm at 12:07 pm |

doug

Not just Jesus but all the religions reject harming people because you disagree with their views or politics so all the religions reject the Democrat party and Democrats as like Obama they see anyone who disagrees with them as the enemy and want them punished.

It doesn't matter your religion or even if you are religious, if you have any decency and compassion in your heart then you have a moral obligation to vote Republican. Democrats wish to see their neighbors and their children rounded up by the government if they don't conform to the Democrat party, this hate and violation of our freedom must be stopped this November.

August 11, 2012 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |

Reggie19

Take that you democrats. Romney and Ryan in November/12. Jealousy and hatred will get you no where in this country!!!!!

August 11, 2012 12:19 pm at 12:19 pm |

doug

Religious progressives are all the people like White House communications director Anita Dunn and her fellow Democrats who admire Mao and worship at the alter of National Socialism. 100 million killed, Democrats think the work is still undone, they want to add every American who is not a Democrat to the long list of those victims of National Socialism.

August 11, 2012 12:19 pm at 12:19 pm |

SEAL Team Alpha and Omega

Even Catholic Nuns despise him and his evil plan.

August 11, 2012 12:31 pm at 12:31 pm |

SEAL Team Alpha and Omega

Ryan, The Anti-Christ, exemplifies the most hateful soul, spirit and embodiment of evil that the GOP could hope to conjure up to destroy the middle-class, bury seniors in shallow graves, and end democracy in America.

August 11, 2012 12:33 pm at 12:33 pm |

Howard

A RELIGIOUS PROGRESSIVE IS LIKE A JUMBO SHRIMP ... OR, A MUSLIM WHO EATS BLT'S.

August 11, 2012 12:59 pm at 12:59 pm |

Res_Ipsa

Doug–you're saying that as someone who worships and follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, I have to vote for a party and people (the GOP and especially the Tea Baggers) who are against everything Jesus taught? Amazing logic! Tell me, have you ever read the Bible? You realize Jesus commanded us all to help the poor, right? Commanded. As in not voluntary. Republicans and the Tea Party especially are wholly anti-Christian, and Ayn Rand was an anti-Christ.

GO READ UP ON AYN RAND...............SCARY STUFF! SENIORS, YOUR MEDICARE & SOCIAL SECURITY WILL BE GUTTED!!!!

August 11, 2012 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |

mike

This is great news for demacrats. the republicans dont stand for new ideas. its the same econic policies where the rich get ritcher and the middle class and poor get poore. start wars that there family will never fight.a republican will never get my vote in life. they are a party that is controlled by the koke brothers and other racist billionares.

August 11, 2012 01:18 pm at 1:18 pm |

Jean Sartre

Ryan's love of Randism is going to prove to be very problematic for him... he forced his entire congressional staff to read "Atlas Shrugged" before they could become one of his staff. He has constantly praised Ayn Rand and all of her philosophy of basically SELFISHNESS...

He stated recently at a Ayn Rand convention, that, "No one has influenced my thinking more than Ayn Rand."

It will be interesting to see how he attempts to walk that BACK...

August 11, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

Peace

Bona Serra Ryan but you are not the person we anticipated to have. Please forget my vote because I will not vote for you. You want to eliminate Medicare for my poor father who has fought for this country and get no appreciation in return!

August 11, 2012 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |

Anonymous

What the heck are "religious progressives"? If they align themselves with the Demondonkies then they are really ANTI-religious. People of faith beware. These people are just thieves and will wear any cloak to fool the masses and further their larceny.

August 11, 2012 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |

enuff

So Ryan is the darling of the tea party? That's enough for me to vote NO. By the way... how's Romney's taxes coming along?

August 11, 2012 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |

Randy, San Francisco

Romney and Ryan will be facing an angry mob of senior citizens for proposing to gut Medicare. Dismantling Medicare is conservative Tea Paraty social engineering at its worst.

How many years of tax returns did Ryan give up? Hmm, more than ROBmoneyHOOD I bet!!

Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!!

August 11, 2012 03:09 pm at 3:09 pm |

Stevie Dor

Ryan must shave more often. Supposedly one of the reasons Nixon lost the 1960 presidential race against JFK was because of Nixon's 5 o'clock shadow (which was usually evident by noon).

August 11, 2012 03:41 pm at 3:41 pm |

Roark

Ayn Rand will certainly have a positive effect on Ryan however Ryan has rejected reason for his faith as he has made public. However if you are interested in learning more about Ayn Rand's views check out "Ayn Rand Lexicon" on there you will be able to look up her official statements on various topics and compare them to Ryan's.